Pence discusses 'historic' Jerusalem decision in Jordan

Washington continues to support a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict despite a recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, US Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday during a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah.

Meeting at the royal palace in Amman, Pence said President Donald Trump's decision was "historic" but that it is still respectful of Jordan's role as a custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.

Abdullah reiterated his concerns regarding Trump's decision, saying it "does not come as a result of a comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."

Pence's meeting with King Abdullah is part of a four-day tour in the region, which began with a stop in Cairo on Saturday where he met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

Egypt and Jordan, key US allies in the region, are the only two Arab countries that have diplomatic ties with Israel.

Pence will on Monday make a two-day visit to Israel where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and address the Knesset.

His visit is the first by a senior US official to the Middle East since December 6, when Trump announced his plan to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.